BigBlue 94 Posted September 20, 2019 Posted September 20, 2019 Very helpful and welcome! That looks really good. Great to know on the sway bar. Does it look like they took a semi-universal receiver, slid out and rotated the end pieces, then modified them to fit around the frame horns? Or do the end pieces look entirely custom? I believe it's a universal type. The two ends slide into the center section and have 2 bolts each and are welded. The end plates may very well be custom, I'm not sure. It was on the bronco when I got it. They look fairly well shaped, but I havent paid close enough attention to know if Joe schmoe did it or if it was done by a company. I dont think the ends were shaped like the standard rear reciever ends are. Been a while since I was up under there.
Danny G Posted September 21, 2019 Author Posted September 21, 2019 Jonathan - The front sway bar on Dad's truck bolts to that cross member. You thinking a universal one can be mounted to that cross member if it exists without affecting the swaybar?
Steve83 Posted September 21, 2019 Posted September 21, 2019 Hmm, getting a message that my pics are the wrong file formatCopy the "Tag" text field from SuperMotors, for this BBS. Add an "s" to the 2nd "http", and make the size what you want (original, fullsize, or thumbnail). https://supermotors.net/getfile/1105892/fullsize/img_20170319_140733366_hdr.jpg The end plates are clearly formed to match the shape of the '80-86 bumper, and to clear the rod bolted to that frame horn. They look industrially stamped & formed to me. https://supermotors.net/getfile/1117986/fullsize/20170816_164207.jpgI found one in a salvage yard that was attached to the stock F150 cross member.That's certainly a homebrew, and it doesn't look very strong. I've bent those crossmembers BY HAND, and by stomping on them to straighten them out.
Danny G Posted September 21, 2019 Author Posted September 21, 2019 Hmm, getting a message that my pics are the wrong file formatCopy the "Tag" text field from SuperMotors, for this BBS. Add an "s" to the 2nd "http", and make the size what you want (original, fullsize, or thumbnail). https://supermotors.net/getfile/1105892/fullsize/img_20170319_140733366_hdr.jpg The end plates are clearly formed to match the shape of the '80-86 bumper, and to clear the rod bolted to that frame horn. They look industrially stamped & formed to me. https://supermotors.net/getfile/1117986/fullsize/20170816_164207.jpgI found one in a salvage yard that was attached to the stock F150 cross member.That's certainly a homebrew, and it doesn't look very strong. I've bent those crossmembers BY HAND, and by stomping on them to straighten them out. For the life of me I cannot find one made to fit between the frame like this, or one for our model years. I am wondering if someone bought this for a later year and did some torch profiling for the bumper.
Danny G Posted September 21, 2019 Author Posted September 21, 2019 For the life of me I cannot find one made to fit between the frame like this, or one for our model years. I am wondering if someone bought this for a later year and did some torch profiling for the bumper. I did find some made for 1992-1996 F-150's. The frame is the same is it not? I'm curious if these would fit. Maybe its more to do with the bumper position?
kramttocs Posted September 21, 2019 Posted September 21, 2019 I did find some made for 1992-1996 F-150's. The frame is the same is it not? I'm curious if these would fit. Maybe its more to do with the bumper position? Would be happy to be wrong but I still see it as a normal receiver with the removable ends flipped upside down and then cut to fit the profile. Even if so though, it's a really good solution. The front horns are different between those years (crumple zone and how the bumper attaches). As for the other jy sway bar one, with that style of sway bar, since the bar goes behind that crossmember (at least on my 86 f150) I don't see why it would interfere. My front sway bar hooks up with a flat crossmember but even with that I think it could be worked around.
kramttocs Posted September 22, 2019 Posted September 22, 2019 I believe it's a universal type. The two ends slide into the center section and have 2 bolts each and are welded. The end plates may very well be custom, I'm not sure. It was on the bronco when I got it. They look fairly well shaped, but I havent paid close enough attention to know if Joe schmoe did it or if it was done by a company. I dont think the ends were shaped like the standard rear reciever ends are. Been a while since I was up under there. The more I look and think about this, the more I like it. I replaced the rear receiver on my 86 with a heavier one so the one I took off is sitting in my shop and has the removable end pieces. I see it's bolted at the bottom - can you see where else it is attached?
Steve83 Posted September 22, 2019 Posted September 22, 2019 For the life of me I cannot find one made to fit between the frame like this, or one for our model years.There aren't many non-running parts still made (aftermarket or OE-style) for vehicles over 25 years old. Yours is about 30....torch profiling for the bumper.That's not a torch cut, and there would be no reason to torch it that close to the bumper. It doesn't add any strength, so a straight cut would have been easier, cheaper, lighter, & more usable (more cargo capacity left on the truck). Later frames are different.
kramttocs Posted September 22, 2019 Posted September 22, 2019 There aren't many non-running parts still made (aftermarket or OE-style) for vehicles over 25 years old. Yours is about 30. I don't think that's the reason for no search results in this case
BigBlue 94 Posted September 22, 2019 Posted September 22, 2019 Hmm, getting a message that my pics are the wrong file formatCopy the "Tag" text field from SuperMotors, for this BBS. Add an "s" to the 2nd "http", and make the size what you want (original, fullsize, or thumbnail). https://supermotors.net/getfile/1105892/fullsize/img_20170319_140733366_hdr.jpg The end plates are clearly formed to match the shape of the '80-86 bumper, and to clear the rod bolted to that frame horn. They look industrially stamped & formed to me. https://supermotors.net/getfile/1117986/fullsize/20170816_164207.jpgI found one in a salvage yard that was attached to the stock F150 cross member.That's certainly a homebrew, and it doesn't look very strong. I've bent those crossmembers BY HAND, and by stomping on them to straighten them out. Thanks Steve, for the pic info. Here's some more pics. This is the lower mount, with two bolts and a weld holding it. https://supermotors.net/getfile/1154000/fullsize/20190922_104012.jpg From inside the frame rails, you can see a top plate that was welded onto the hitch. https://supermotors.net/getfile/1154001/fullsize/20190922_104028.jpg And that welded on piece bolts to the outside of the frame rail https://supermotors.net/getfile/1154002/fullsize/20190922_104048.jpg
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